Ruth Matete Opens Up on Costly Life in Canada as Single Mother

Ruth Matete has offered a rare and deeply personal glimpse into her life in Canada, opening up about the financial sacrifices and emotional challenges of raising her young daughter as a single mother in a foreign country. 

Through an emotional Facebook post, Matete detailed the daily balancing act that defines her life abroad. From planning work shifts around childcare to stretching every dollar earned, she revealed that life in Canada has demanded resilience, careful budgeting and unwavering determination. 

Rather than portraying Canada as a place where success comes easily, Matete highlighted the hidden costs that immigrants often face, particularly single parents who must shoulder every responsibility without the support of close relatives.

“Today I will pay 75 dollars for childcare. It is currently my biggest expense whenever I work afternoon shifts,” Matete shared in her Facebook post, explaining how childcare has become one of the largest expenses in her monthly budget.

Despite the financial pressure, the singer maintained that she remains focused on providing a stable future for her daughter. She acknowledged that every sacrifice she makes today is an investment in her child’s future, even though the journey has been far more demanding than she had imagined.

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Balancing Work, Childcare and Daily Life

Matete explained that her work schedule largely determines how much she spends on childcare each day. During school holidays, when her daughter is at home throughout the day, she has no option but to hire babysitters whenever she reports to work, significantly increasing her weekly expenses.

She disclosed that afternoon shifts running from 2:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. are the most expensive because they require extended childcare. On such days, she pays approximately 75 Canadian dollars for someone to look after her daughter while she is at work.

Night shifts, which begin at 10:00 p.m. and end at 6:00 a.m., are considerably cheaper. According to Matete, these shifts require only about 10 Canadian dollars in childcare expenses, making them a more affordable option despite the physical demands of working through the night.

Her preferred schedule remains the morning shift during the school term. With her daughter safely in class, Matete is able to complete her work before collecting her from the school bus, eliminating the need for expensive babysitting services. However, school holidays disrupt that routine, forcing her to spend significantly more money simply to remain employed.

The singer’s account sheds light on a challenge faced by many immigrant parents across the world. While employment opportunities may be available, balancing work with childcare often becomes one of the biggest financial burdens, especially for single parents without nearby family members to lend a helping hand.

The Pain of Raising a Child Without Family Support

Beyond the financial struggles, Matete admitted that the emotional weight of raising her daughter alone has been equally challenging. Living thousands of kilometres away from home has meant navigating motherhood without the comforting presence of parents, siblings or extended relatives.

The most emotional part of her post came when she reflected on her late mother, saying she often imagines how different life would have been had she still been alive.

“If I had a mum, I’d have left my child with her until she was about 10 or 11 years old,” Matete wrote, expressing the longing for a support system that many parents often take for granted.

Her heartfelt words struck a chord with many followers, particularly Kenyans living abroad who understand the loneliness that often accompanies migration. Several supporters flooded her comments with messages of encouragement, reminding her that her sacrifices would eventually bear fruit and applauding her determination to keep pushing forward.

For many single parents, the absence of family support means every responsibility falls on one person. From preparing meals and arranging childcare to working long hours and caring for a child after work, there is rarely an opportunity to rest. Matete’s experience reflects the reality of countless parents who continue to persevere despite overwhelming responsibilities.

Although she acknowledged the many difficulties she faces, Matete remained optimistic. She credited her faith in God for giving her strength during moments of exhaustion and uncertainty, saying she continues to trust that her efforts will eventually create a better future for her daughter.

Her message also served as a reminder that social media rarely captures the full reality of life abroad. While many people see photographs of beautiful cities and apparent success, they often overlook the sacrifices, homesickness and financial pressures that accompany the pursuit of better opportunities.

For Matete, every dollar spent on childcare, every overnight shift and every moment of loneliness represents part of a larger dream of creating stability for her family. Her willingness to speak openly about these experiences has earned admiration from fans who described her story as both inspiring and relatable.

She concluded her message by expressing gratitude despite the hardships, saying God has carried her through every challenge she has encountered since relocating to Canada.

“Still, I thank God for this far. He has enabled me this far. It hasn’t been easy,” she wrote.